ABSTRACT
The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of a 6-day food restriction period on the physiological responses and performance of 11 high-level weightlifters. After a period of weight maintenance (T2), they were assigned into two groups depending on whether they lost (Diet group, n = 6) or maintained their body weight (Control group, n = 5) during the course of those 6 days. An evaluation of performance and the measurement of salivary cortisol concentrations and salivary α-amylase (sAA) activity were performed during a simulated weightlifting competition which took place at T2, after a 6-day period of food restriction (T3). Dietary data were collected using a 6-day diet record. We noted a 41.8% decrease in mean energy intake during the dietary restriction period, leading to a 4.34% weight loss for the Diet group. Dietary restriction did not modify absolute performance levels, whilst a significant improvement was noted for the Control group. Furthermore, we noted a response of decreased salivary cortisol and increased sAA activity to the simulated competition stress at T3 for the Diet group. These results may indicate that dietary reduction led to a dissociation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympatho-adreno-medullary system, which could impair training adaptations and absolute performance development.
Acknowledgement
The authors are very grateful to the athletes for their participation and their commitment during the entire experiment.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Alexandre Durguerian
AD conceived and developed the study design, supervised the participants during the experiment, took photos of the meals, participated in data acquisition and interpretation and wrote the manuscript. EF conceived and developed the study design, participated in data interpretation and wrote the manuscript. CD analysed the saliva samples. CB conceived and developed the study design, supervised the participants during the experiment and participated in data acquisition. MC conceived and developed the study design and participated in data acquisition and interpretation. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Edith Filaire
AD conceived and developed the study design, supervised the participants during the experiment, took photos of the meals, participated in data acquisition and interpretation and wrote the manuscript. EF conceived and developed the study design, participated in data interpretation and wrote the manuscript. CD analysed the saliva samples. CB conceived and developed the study design, supervised the participants during the experiment and participated in data acquisition. MC conceived and developed the study design and participated in data acquisition and interpretation. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Catherine Drogou
AD conceived and developed the study design, supervised the participants during the experiment, took photos of the meals, participated in data acquisition and interpretation and wrote the manuscript. EF conceived and developed the study design, participated in data interpretation and wrote the manuscript. CD analysed the saliva samples. CB conceived and developed the study design, supervised the participants during the experiment and participated in data acquisition. MC conceived and developed the study design and participated in data acquisition and interpretation. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Clément Bougard
AD conceived and developed the study design, supervised the participants during the experiment, took photos of the meals, participated in data acquisition and interpretation and wrote the manuscript. EF conceived and developed the study design, participated in data interpretation and wrote the manuscript. CD analysed the saliva samples. CB conceived and developed the study design, supervised the participants during the experiment and participated in data acquisition. MC conceived and developed the study design and participated in data acquisition and interpretation. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Mounir Chennaoui
AD conceived and developed the study design, supervised the participants during the experiment, took photos of the meals, participated in data acquisition and interpretation and wrote the manuscript. EF conceived and developed the study design, participated in data interpretation and wrote the manuscript. CD analysed the saliva samples. CB conceived and developed the study design, supervised the participants during the experiment and participated in data acquisition. MC conceived and developed the study design and participated in data acquisition and interpretation. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.